Development Centre News

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), the Port of Rotterdam Authority and 20 partners in the Green & Digital Shipping Corridor are working to reduce 20% to 30% of emissions from international shipping by 2030. This was agreed at the third Green Corridor workshop, held this week in Rotterdam.The Green & Digital Shipping Corridor was established in August 2022 to bring together partners across the supply chain to realise zero and near-zero emissions shipping on the Rotterdam-Singapore route, with the ultimate aim to reach net-zero emissions in 2050.

Singapore-based shipbuilder Strategic Marine announced it has commissioned a study to validate greenhouse gas emissions reduction using the Sea Forrest Green Cabin Energy Saving System, its latest system in collaboration with Sea Forrest.Sea Forrest delivers energy management solutions through marine electric and hybrid propulsion, marine charging and marine energy storage systems. The deployment of Green Cabin Energy Saving System marks the first time such a system is being used on board fast crew boats (FCB).

Singapore-based boat builder Strategic Marine has commissioned a study to compare the efficiency of traditional diesel-powered and hybrid-powered crew transfer vessels (CTV).The study, to be conducted by the Maritime Energy and Sustainable Development Centre of Excellence (MESD CoE) at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore), aims to help the company expand its knowledge and expertise of sustainable solutions for the sector.The commissioned study will assess the difference in energy and emissions profiles between company-built diesel-powered and hybrid-powered CTVs.

At the Remontowa Shipbuilding S.A. shipyard, a handover and acceptance protocol for the third in a series of modern mine destroyers – the ORP Mewa vessel for the Polish Navy – was signed on Wednesday.The ship was built by a consortium comprising the leader, Stocznia Remontowa Shipbuilding S.A., which is part of the Remontowa Holding S.A. capital group, the Research and Development Centre for Maritime Technology (OBR CTM) S.A. and PGZ Stocznia Wojenna.Like its predecessor ORP Albatros…

Volvo Penta and CMB.TECH announced they are working together to accelerate the development of dual-fuel hydrogen-powered solutions for both on land and at sea applications.CMB.TECH owns, operates, and designs large marine and industrial applications powered by hydrogen and ammonia – fuels that it both manufactures and supplies to its customers. Volvo Penta is a manufacturer of engines and complete power systems for boats, vessels and industrial applications. The companies have…

Brüel & Kjær Vibro (B&K Vibro), an independent supplier of condition monitoring solutions for rotating machinery, has been acquired by NSK, a global organization specializing in researching, designing and manufacturing motion and control solutions.NSK’s portfolio of products and technologies enhance automotive performance and industrial productivity, while reducing energy consumption. As the leading supplier of bearings in Japan and the third largest supplier in the world by market share, NSK employs approximately 30,000 people in more than 200 locations across 30 countries, alongside a vast network of joint ventures and partnerships.NSK has been developing condition monitoring systems (CMS) for internal and field use for decades.

The technology group Wärtsilä said it has been contracted by the City of Duisburg, Germany, to provide the latest in simulator technology for inland waterway navigation. The simulator will consist of seven full mission bridges in two locations within Duisburg; six at the Schiffer-Berufskolleg Rhein vocational college, and one at the DST Development Centre for Ship Technology and Transport Systems.The technology will enable inter-connectivity with other simulators, a universal hardware interface for future developments, and can be used for R&D purposes, Wärtsilä said.

Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Group Chairman and CEO of the global port operator DP World, rang the market-opening bell at Nasdaq Dubai to mark the listings of two sukuks (Arabic name for financial certificates) and two conventional bonds worth $2.3 billion.DP World will use the capital raised for debt refinancing and to fund growth opportunities.The listings, carried out during 2019, comprise two Sukuk of one billion US dollars and 500 million US dollars, and two conventional bonds of 500 million US dollars and 300 million US dollars.Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Group Chairman and CEO of DP World, said: “Our debt issuances this year were well received in the market by a wide variety of investors in the region and around the world…

Transinsular announced the 'Lince Class', the fastest maritime connection with Cape Verde from Portugal (Leixões / Lisbon) and the Canary Islands (Las Palmas). And therefore, the most competitive solution for exporting products from Portugal, Spain, Northern Europe and the Mediterranean. At the same time, and as a complement to the 'Lince Class', the ETE Group will offer inter-island ‘ATOBÁ’ cabotage services, on the way from Praia, Mindelo, Sal and Boavista, connecting these ports to the African proximity markets such as Guinea-Bissau and Mauritania.

DNV GL, the world’s largest resource of independent energy experts and certification body, has signed an agreement with leading Taiwanese stakeholders to collaborate on offshore wind testing and certification to drive the expansion and facilitate the development of offshore wind in Taiwan. The regulations for certification will be headed by the Bureau of Standards, Metrology and Inspection since it has been designated by the highest authority in Taiwan. Taiwan is one of the rising offshore wind markets in the world. With its long-term visibility in terms of policy, financial support and development, Taiwan is Asia’s second biggest offshore wind market after China.

Rolls-Royce has announced the latest stage in its research and development plans to make remote and autonomous shipping a reality and reap the benefits of increasing digitalization in the marine industry. The company said it is looking to develop partnerships and opportunities with other organizations around the world to, create the capability, competencies and jobs to supply the technology and components required. Today, the latest part of that program has been confirmed with the announcement, in Finland, of a significant research grant by Tekes – the Finnish Funding Agency for Innovation.

Imperial Shipping has chosen Van der Velden Marine Systems retractable flanking rudder systems for its push boats. The retractable flanking rudder system is an in-house innovation of Van der Velden Marine Systems (VDVMS). The system brings new efficiency to the inland shipping industry and will first be used in Paraguay. At the request of Dutch shipbuilder Damen, VDVMS developed the system and had it tested independently by the Development Centre for Ship Technology and Transport Systems (DST) in Duisburg (DE). Flanking rudders are often used for inland river tow boats.

UK-based Cummins Darlington is celebrating its 50th anniversary during 2015. Since opening, around 1.5 million engines have been built in the factory for customers worldwide, providing power for vessels as well as land vehicles. Work began in 1963 on the £8.5 million plant with engine production commencing in 1965, having more than 400 employees’ onsite. The production line assembled Cummins range of Small Vee V6 and V8 engines, named VAL and VALE. With cubic capacities of 5.7 and 8.3 liters, they had a capability of up to 111 kW, suitable for a range of boats at the time.

The first ship outfitted with the Van der Velden FLEX Tunnel was named Friday, August 14th in Duisburg. The Rhenus Duisburg, the new barge combination from shipping company Rhenus PartnerShip, has been put through extensive tests and trials. Much data has been collected so as to establish the appropriate and ultimate efficiency of the Van der Velden FLEX Tunnel. The system developed by Van der Velden offers advantages for barges in terms of speed, capacity, propulsion, manoeuvrability and fuel economy. Van der Velden FLEX Tunnel is an innovative fold-tunnel system designed specifically for inland waterways. Fitted with conventional tunnels, loaded barges sail in deep water for an average of 80% of the time.

After celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2013, Van der Velden Marine Systems, a daughter company of the Damen Group, is not resting on its laurels as the Netherlands-based company’s R&D department works to continue advancing maritime maneuvering and propulsion efficiency. “We are currently building a 97m2 Energy Saving Package (ESPAC) system for a series of three 18,000 TEU vessels being built for CMA CGM at the CSSC-affiliated Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipyard in China,” said Edwin van Buren, Director R&D at Van der Velden Marine Systems.

For the 2014 business year, the Liebherr Group is currently anticipating an overall turnover of 8,866 million euros (2013: 8,964 million euros). In the area of construction machines and mining, a decline is expected. For the other areas, the 2014 figures are higher than the previous year’s. The Liebherr Group’s overall turnover is expected to be 8,866 million euros in this business year. Compared with the turnover from 2013, this is a slight drop of about 98 million euros, or 1%.

Kalmar, part of Cargotec, has entered the record books thanks to the remarkable heavy lift capabilities of its latest reachstacker, named Super Gloria. The reachstacker lifted a steel component weighing over 100 tonnes in front of an invited audience on Friday, 12 September 2014 at Kalmar's multi-assembly unit in Lidhult, Sweden. The new DRG1000-92 ZXS reachstacker range is the world's largest industrial reachstacker in Kalmar's hugely successful Gloria range. It boasts a completely new design, developed to meet customer's critical specifications with lift capacities up to 120 tonnes depending on application. The Super Gloria model has been augmented with a specially raised cab to enhance visibility and a wheelbase of 9.25m to provide maximum stability.

Transas Group has announced today the appointment of Andrey Belentiev as the Group's Director of the Marine Business Unit. Andrey Belentiev, former Managing Director of Transas (JSC), Russian marine business entity, is now in charge of the Transas marine business worldwide. Centralized strategic governance, technology development and financial management will contribute to a better overall performance of the Transas Group and its marine business. Ralf Lehnert, Managing Director, Transas Marine International continues running international part of the Transas marine business.

Shell, BP, Maersk, Stena & Japanese shipping companies NYK, MOL and “K” Line support job creation & capacity building projects in Somalia. This collaboration between many in the shipping industry and UNDP (United Nations Development Programme) is the first step in an initiative, launched in February 2012, designed to make a contribution to the rebuilding of a stable Somalia and thus reduce the risk of piracy to seafarers in the Indian Ocean. Grahaeme Henderson, Vice President Shell Shipping said: “The safety of seafarers is the priority of all of us involved in this maritime industry led initiative. The UNDP has been selected because…

Van der Velden Maritime Systems will be showcasing a selection of their vessel propulsion products at upcoming 'Ahoy Rotterdam',  5-8, November 2013 at booth 1405 in Hall 1. The company has also been selected to participate in the Green Route. Van der Velden will present information, about its products including the Velden® FLEX tunnel manoeuvring and propulsion system, which is designed for inland and coastal ships, and offers tremendous advantages in the expansion of capacity, fuel consumption, speed and manoeuvrability.

Wärtsilä's new Propulsion Test Centre has been established and funded by Wärtsilä with strong support from VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, who will provide the resources to operate the facility. The test centre is located in Tuusula, southern Finland, and will enhance the company's capabilities in product validation and research activities. The new facility enables Wärtsilä to speed the development of new, high quality and environmentally sound propulsion products together with research institutes, universities and suppliers.

Users of the Voyager Planning Station, developed by Global Navigation Solutions, the maritime services group, can now plot their route directly onto the official ENCs on board their vessel. Visitors to this year’s Marintec China exhibition will have the opportunity to see a demonstration of this new feature. Providing a single all inclusive back of bridge solution, Voyager Planning Station enables the navigator to passage plan using live data. A route can be plotted directly onto Voyager’s enhanced ENC display…

The overall economic situation did not improve in 2013. According to current forecasts, the global economy will grow by just under 3% and global production probably by 3.1%. In this year the volume of worldwide trade will, according to World Trade Organization (WTO) forecasts, increase by 2.5%. In view of only moderate overall economic development this year, the Liebherr Group expects its total turnover to reach €9.1 billion, which equals the previous year’s figure. A slight downturn is anticipated in the construction machinery and mining area…